Method and apparatus for modifying notification settings on a mobile electronic device

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for modifying notification settings on a mobile electronic device is provided, the mobile electronic device comprising a processing unit, a display, a memory, an input device, and at least one notification device. It is determined that the at least one notification device has been activated using a given notification setting. A menu list is responsively changed to include a notification setting change option, the menu list associated with the input device and stored in the memory, such that when the input device is activated, the display is controlled by the processing unit to provide a representation of the menu list such that the notification setting option can be selected and the given notification setting changed.

FIELD

The specification relates generally to computing devices, andspecifically to a method and apparatus for modifying notificationsettings on a mobile electronic device.

BACKGROUND

Mobile electronic devices (such as cellphones, PDAs and/or smartphones),can have several different notification settings for notification eventssuch as phone calls, emails, SMS, reminders, etc. Each notificationsetting can be different for each notification event, such thatdifferent notifications cause the mobile electronic device to play aringtone and/or vibrate, at a specific volume, and in a differentmanner. For example, a ringtone used for Email messages might bedifferent from that used for SMS messages.

However, as mobile electronic devices become more complex and providemore services, the number of different notifications can increasesignificantly. When a particular notification (e.g. an email message) istriggered, it can be desirable to change some aspect of the notificationsettings shortly thereafter, such as the ringtone, the volume, vibrationsettings, etc.

Currently, however, notification settings must be accessed via anotification settings application which provides all the notificationsettings for the mobile electronic device, such that a particularnotification setting must be located and accessed before a change to thesetting can occur. This leads to increased wear and tear on an inputdevice used to locate and launch the notification settings applicationand to locate the particular notification setting. This further leads toinefficient use of system resources at the mobile electronic device asan unreasonable amount of input data must be processed while theparticular notification setting is located.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments are described with reference to the following figures, inwhich:

FIG. 1 depicts a system for modifying notification settings at a mobileelectronic device, according to non-limiting embodiments;

FIG. 2 depicts a menu system for modifying notification settings at amobile electronic device, according to non-limiting embodiments;

FIG. 3 depicts a system menu and an updated system menu including achange last notification setting option, according to non-limitingembodiments;

FIG. 4 depicts a method for modifying notification settings at a mobileelectronic device, according to non-limiting embodiments; and,

FIG. 5 depicts processing resources at a mobile computing implementingthe method of FIG. 2, according to non-limiting embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

A first aspect of the specification provides a method for modifyingnotification settings on a mobile electronic device comprising aprocessing unit, a display, a memory, an input device, and at least onenotification device. The method comprises determining that the at leastone notification device has been activated using a given notificationsetting. The method further comprises responsively changing a menu listto include a notification setting change option, the menu listassociated with the input device and stored in the memory, such thatwhen the input device is activated, the display is controlled by theprocessing unit to provide a representation of the menu list such thatthe notification setting option can be selected and the givennotification setting changed.

The method can further comprise: determining that the input device hasbeen activated; controlling the display device to display arepresentation of the menu list; determining that the notificationsetting change option has been selected; and changing the givennotification setting.

The notification setting change option can be removed from the menu listin the memory after a given time period.

The at least one notification device can be activated due to at leastone of an alarm, a reminder, a calendar notification event, and receiptof data from a communication network. The data from the communicationnetwork can include at least one of an e-mail, a text message, a shortmessage service (SMS) message, and a voice call.

The at least one notification device can include at least one of aspeaker enabled to play audio when the notification triggering eventoccurs and a vibration motor enabled to cause the mobile electronicdevice to vibrate when the notification triggering event occurs.

The given notification setting can include at least one of a volumesetting, an association between the notification event and an audiofile, and a vibration setting. The audio file can include a ringtone.

A second aspect of the specification provides a mobile electronic devicefor modifying notification settings. The mobile electronic devicecomprises a processing unit, a display, a memory, an input device, andat least one notification device, in communication via a computer bus.The mobile electronic device is enabled to determine that the at leastone notification device has been activated using a given notificationsetting. The mobile electronic device is further enabled to responsivelychange a menu list to include a notification setting change option, themenu list associated with the input device and stored in the memory,such that when the input device is activated, the display is controlledby the processing unit to provide a representation of the menu list suchthat the notification setting option can be selected and the givennotification setting changed.

The mobile electronic device can be further enabled to: determine thatthe input device has been activated; control the display device todisplay a representation of the menu list; determine that thenotification setting change option has been selected; and change thegiven notification setting.

The notification setting change option can be removed from the menu listin the memory after a given time period.

The at least one notification device can be activated due to at leastone of an alarm, a reminder, a calendar notification event, and receiptof data from a communication network. The data from the communicationnetwork includes at least one of an e-mail, a text message, a shortmessage service (SMS) message, and a voice call.

The at least one notification device can include at least one of aspeaker enabled to play audio when the notification triggering eventoccurs and a vibration motor enabled to cause the mobile electronicdevice to vibrate when the notification triggering event occurs.

The given notification setting can include at least one of a volumesetting, an association between the notification event and an audiofile, and a vibration setting. The audio file can include a ringtone.

FIG. 1 depicts a system 100, including a mobile electronic device 110for modifying notification settings, according to non-limitingembodiments. Mobile electronic device 110 comprises a processing unit122, a communications interface 124, a non-volatile memory device 114, avolatile memory device 115, at least one notification device 116, aninput device 126 and display device 128 all in communication, forexample, via a computing bus (not depicted). In general, non-volatilememory 114 stores notification settings 123, described below, which canbe processed by processing unit 122 to control notification device 116when a notification triggering event occurs at mobile electronic device110. Notification settings 123 will be described in further detailbelow. Non-limiting examples of notification triggering events include,but are not limited to, an alarm within a calendaring application (e.g.stored and processed at mobile electronic device 110), a reminder withina calendaring application, and/or receipt of data 133 from a remotecomputing device 120, such as e-mail, a text message, a short messageservice message (SMS) and data for setting up a voice call betweenmobile electronic device 110 and remote computing device 120.

Mobile electronic device 110 further comprises an application 131 thatcan be stored in non-volatile memory 114. Application 131, upon beingprocessed by processing unit 122, enables mobile electronic device 110to modify notification settings 123, for example by receiving input frominput device 126 indicative of how notification settings 123 are to bechanged.

Furthermore, processing unit 122 is enabled to control display device128 to produce a representation 159 of application 131 and notificationsettings 123, displayed therein. In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment,as depicted in FIG. 2, representation 159 can comprise a plurality ofmenus, MENU1, MENU2, MENU3, MENU4 and MENU5. Each of MENU1-MENU5comprises a header (each header depicted in capital letters in FIG. 2,for example “PROFILES” in MENU1), and plurality of selectable menu items(e.g. each of “Loud”, “Vibrate”, “Quiet”, “Normal”, “Off” and “ChangeNotification Settings” in MENU1 can be selected). In general, each menuitem MENU1 comprises menu items that can be selected to activate adefined profile (each profile comprising a set of notification settings(e.g. notification settings 123) that is to be activated when a profileis selected). For example, in FIG. 2, the profile “Normal” has beenactivated, as indicated by “(Active)” after “Normal”. However, selectionof the menu item “Change Notification Settings” results in MENU2 beingprovided within representation 159.

Each menu item in MENU2 comprises menu items that can be selected todetermine which given profile is to be edited. For example, in FIG. 2,“Normal” has been selected indicating that the set of notificationsettings in the profile “Normal” is to be edited. Selection of the menuitem “Normal” results in MENU3 being provided within representation 159.

Each menu item in MENU3 comprises menu items that can be selected todetermine which notification settings, in the profile selected in MENU2,and associated with a given application, are to be edited. For example,in FIG. 2, “Phone” has been selected indicating that the set ofnotification settings in the profile “Normal” associated with a phoneapplication are to be edited. Selection of the menu item “Phone” resultsin MENU4 being provided within representation 159.

Each menu item in MENU4 comprises menu items that can be selected toedit notification settings associated with the application “Phone”. Eachmenu item in MENU4 comprises a label (e.g. “Ringtone”, “Volume”, “LED”(Light Emitting Diode) and “Vibration”) and an associated notificationsetting (“ClassicPhone”, “Medium”, “Flashing” and “No”, respectively).Each notification setting can be edited/changed by selecting thenotification setting. For example, in FIG. 2, “Ringtone” has beenselected indicating that the notification settings associated withringtones for “ClassicPhone” are to be edited. Selection of the menuitem “Phone” results in MENU5 being provided within representation 159.

Each menu item in MENU5 comprises menu items that can be selected tochange notification settings associated with “Ringtone” in MENU4. Eachmenu item in MENU5 comprises the name of an audio file (having anysuitable format), stored at computing device 110 (e.g. in non-volatilememory 114). Selection of an audio file results in the notificationsetting for “Ringtone” being changed to the selected audio file (e.g.“Ringtone” has been changed from “ClassicPhone” to “Calypso”). Selectionof the menu item “Calypso” results in UPDATED MENU 4 being providedwithin representation 159, similar to MENU 4, however, with theappropriate notification setting updated to that selected in MENU5.Furthermore, notification settings 123 are changed to updatednotification settings 123′, depicted in FIG. 1, updated notificationsettings 123′ comprising the changes to notification settings thatresult due to selections made in MENU5 (or any other suitable menu).

It is understood that representation 159 comprises any suitable numberof menus, for example, selection of each menu item in each ofMENU2-MENU4 results in a suitable menu being provided, associated withthe given selection. In this manner, notification settings 123 can beupdated for each profile and for each application, in any suitablecombination.

However, this is cumbersome and further results in excessive input databeing received and processed from input device 126, and is aninefficient use of processing unit 122 and display device 128, as wellas increasing wear and tear on input device 126. Hence, returning now toFIG. 1, mobile electronic device 110 further comprises an application135 for updating notification settings 123, as will be described belowwith reference to method 123 depicted in FIG. 4.

In general notification settings 123 comprise data indicative of hownotification device 116 is to be controlled when a notificationtriggering event occurs. Furthermore, notification settings 123 cancomprise data indicative of how notification device 116 is to becontrolled for a plurality of notification triggering events. Anon-limiting exemplary embodiment of notification settings 123 isprovided in Table 1:

TABLE 1 Profile Normal Application Phone Ringtone ClassicPhone VolumeMedium LED Flashing Vibration No

While Table 1 is presented in rows and columns, it is understood thatnotification settings 123 can be stored in any suitable format and neednot be arranged in rows and columns. Table 1 comprises a profileidentifier (“Normal”), an application identifier (“Phone”), andassociated notification settings, similar to the example depicted inFIG. 2. Specifically, Table 1 comprises 4 notification setting entriesfor each of “Ringtone”, “Volume”, “LED” and “Vibration”: respectively,“ClassicPhone”, “Medium”, “Flashing” and “No”. Each entry is indicativeof how notification device 116 is to be controlled when voicecall data(e.g. data 133) is received at mobile electronic device 110.Specifically, “ClassicPhone” is indicative that an audio file named“ClassicPhone” is to be processed, such that notification device 116(which in this instance includes a speaker) is controlled to play thefile (i.e. emit sound); “Medium” is indicative that the audio file is tobe played at medium volume; “Flashing” is indicative that notificationdevice 116 (which in this instance further includes a light emittingdiode) is to be controlled to flash an LED; and “Vibration” isindicative that notification device 116 is not to vibrate (i.e. in thisinstance, notification device 116 further includes a vibration motor).It is understood that notification settings 123 can comprise anysuitable number of entries, each corresponding to any suitablenotification setting (and/or suitable headers). It is understood thatTable 1 can comprise any suitable number of columns and rows, and anysuitable type of data. For example, Table 1 can further comprisenotification settings for other profiles and other applications.

In general, mobile electronic device 110 comprises any suitablecomputing and/or communication device for processing applications 131,135, including but not limited to any suitable combination of laptops,mobile electronic devices, PDA's, cell phones and the like. Othersuitable types of mobile electronic devices are within the scope ofpresent embodiments.

Communications interface 124 is enabled to communicate with remotecomputing device 120 via communications network 130. Accordingly,communications interface 124 is enabled to communicate viacommunications network 130 according to any suitable protocol which iscompatible with communications network 130. Further, communicationsinterface 124 is enabled to communicate in a wireless or wired manner,as desired, compatible with communications network 130, including butnot limited to packet based protocols, Internet protocols, analogprotocols, PSTN protocols, cell phone protocols (1×, UTMS, CDMA, GMS,and the like), WiFi protocols, WiMax protocols and/or a combination.Other suitable protocols are within the scope of present embodiments.

Similarly, communication networks 130, can comprise any suitablecombination of wired and/or wireless networks, including but not limitedto packet based networks, the Internet, analog networks, the PSTN, LAN,WAN, cell phone networks, WiFi networks, WiMax networks and/or acombination. Other suitable types of communication networks are withinthe scope of present embodiments.

Non-volatile memory device 114 can comprise any suitable non-volatilememory device, including but not limited to read-only memory (ROM),flash memory, magnetic computer storage devices (e.g. hard disks, floppydisks, and magnetic tape), optical discs, and the like.

Volatile memory 115 can comprise any suitable volatile memory device,including but not limited to random access memory (RAM), and the like.In general, volatile memory device 115 is enabled to storerepresentation data for controlling display device 128 to displayrepresentations 159, 165 (described below).

Notification device 116 can comprises any suitable combination ofnotification devices including but not limited to an audio device (e.g.a speaker), a light (e.g. light emitting diode and the like) and avibration device (e.g. a vibration motor).

Input device 126 is generally enabled to receive input data, and cancomprise any suitable combination of input devices, including but notlimited to a keyboard, a pointing device, a mouse, a track wheel, atouchpad, a touch screen and the like. In alternative embodiments inputdata can be received at mobile electronic device 110 via communicationsinterface 124 and/or communications network 130, for example, from othercomputing devices, such as remote computing device 120.

In particular, input device 126 comprises a key 127 which is dedicatedto causing processing unit 122 to control display device 128 to producea representation 165 of a system menu list 129 stored in non-volatilememory device 114, when it is determined that key 127 has beenactivated. It is understood that at least one key 127 can comprise anysuitable dedicated input device, including but not limited to a buttonand/or any suitable combination of keyboard entries on a key board (e.g.“control S”) and/or a pointing device. It is further understood that infurther embodiments, dedicated key 127 can comprise a virtual key and/orbutton, provided at display device 128 and selectable via input device126.

System menu list 129 comprises a list of data representative ofapplications stored at computing device 110 which can be processed uponselection of a given application in representation 165, described below.In general, each application listed in system menu list 129 comprises anapplication that can be accessed regardless of other processes occurringat mobile electronics device 110 and is launchable when selected inrepresentation 165. A non-limiting exemplary embodiment of system menulist 129 is provided in Table 2:

TABLE 2 Help Switch Application Close

While Table 2 is presented in rows and columns, it is understood thatsystem menu list 129 can be stored in any suitable format and need notbe arranged in rows and columns. Table 2 comprises 3 entries, eachassociated with an application stored at mobile electronics device 110,and launchable. “Help” is associated with an application which provideshelp information; “Switch Application” is associated with an applicationthat enables launching and/or switching between a subset of applicationsat mobile electronic device 110; and “Close” is associated with anapplication that causes representation 165 to close.

Hence, when it is determined that key 127 is activated, display device128 is controlled to provide representation 165. A non-limitingexemplary embodiment of representation 165 is provided in FIG. 3 andcomprises SYSTEM MENU1. SYSTEM MENU1 is provided when key 127 isactivated, each item in SYSTEM MENU1 being selectable to launch theassociated application, e.g. via input device 126 (e.g. a pointingdevice). An UPDATED SYSTEM MENU is also depicted in FIG. 3, as describedbelow with reference to method 123; SYSTEM MENU1 is changed to UPDATEDSYSTEM MENU when it is determined that notification device 116 has beenactivated, as described below with reference to method 123, for examplewhen application 135 is being processed.

Furthermore, system menu 129 can be updated, as desired, to add orremove applications to reflect other processes that occur at mobilecommunication device 110. For example, if a “Phone” application isrunning at mobile communication device 110 (e.g. when a voicecall is inprogress and/or being initiated), system menu list 129 can be updatedand can comprise Table 3:

TABLE 3 Hang Up Forward Hold Help Close Switch Application

Table 3 is similar to Table 2, with the entries “Hang Up”, “Forward” and“Hold” added, each associated with a phone related application.

Display module 128 comprises circuitry 158 for generatingrepresentations 159, 165. Display module 128 can include any suitablecombination of CRT and/or flat panel displays (e.g. LCD, plasma and thelike), and circuitry 158 can include any suitable combination ofcircuitry for controlling the CRT and/or flat panel displays etc.,including but not limited to display buffers, transistors, electron beamcontrollers, LCD cells, plasmas cells, phosphors etc. In particular,display module 128 and circuitry 158 can be controlled by processingunit 122 to generate representations 159, 165.

Attention is now directed to FIG. 4 which depicts a method 123 formodifying notification settings on a mobile electronic device comprisinga processing unit, a display, a memory, an input device, and at leastone notification device. In order to assist in the explanation of themethod 123, it will be assumed that the method 123 is performed usingthe system 100, and specifically mobile electronic device 110. Indeed,in some embodiments, method 123 can be implemented via application 135.Furthermore, the following discussion of the method 123 will lead to afurther understanding of the system 100 and its various components.However, it is to be understood that the system 100 and/or the method123 can be varied, and need not work exactly as discussed herein inconjunction with each other, and that such variations are within thescope of present embodiments.

At step 410, it is determined that notification device 116 has beenactivated using a given notification setting. For example due to theoccurrence of a notification triggering event such as an alarm, areminder, a calendar notification event, and/or receipt of data 133 fromcommunication network 130, notification device 116 has been activatedusing an associated notification setting, for example as defined innotification settings 123 (e.g. and/or as defined in MENU4 of FIG. 2).

At step 420, in response to determining that notification device 116 hasbeen activated using a given notification setting, system menu list 129is changed to updated system menu list 129′ which comprises entries fromsystem menu list 129 and a notification setting change option. Forexample, updated system menu list 129′ can comprise Table 4:

TABLE 4 Change Last Notification Setting Help Switch Application Close

Table 4 is similar to Table 2, with the entry “Change Last NotificationSetting” added. Alternatively, Table 3 can be changed to include a“Change Last Notification Setting” entry.

As described above, system menu list 129 is associated with key 127, andcan be stored in non-volatile memory 114, such that when key 127 isactivated system menu list 129 is provided at display device 128.However, if system menu list 129 has been updated to updated system menulist 129′, display device 128 is controlled by processing unit 122 toprovide representation 165 including updated system menu list 129′, i.e.UPDATED SYSTEM MENU depicted in FIG. 3. The notification setting optioncan then be selected from UPDATED SYSTEM MENU and the given notificationsetting for the notification device changed, (i.e. the notificationsetting which was most recently used to activate notification device116).

In some embodiments, optional steps 425 and 426 can be implementedwherein the notification setting change option is removed from updatedsystem menu list 129′ after a given time period. A determination of howmuch time has passed since notification device 116 has been activatedcan occur at step 425, and a comparison made with a given time period(e.g. a few hours), for example, using a clock (not depicted) at mobileelectronics device 110. At step 426, updated system menu list 129′ canbe changed to remove the “Change Last Notification Setting” entry, suchthat updated system menu list 129′ reverts back to system menu list 129.Such embodiments can be implemented when it is desired to changenotification settings 123 only within the given time period.Furthermore, steps 425-426 can be implemented before, after or duringany suitable step in method 123.

In any event, at step 430 it can be determined that key 127 has beenactivated. In response, at step 440, display device 128 is controlled todisplay representation 165 including entries from updated system menulist 129′, for example, UPDATED SYSTEM MENU depicted in FIG. 3. At step450 it is determined whether the notification setting change option hasbeen selected. If not, method 123 ends at step 455 (i.e. another entryhas been selected and/or UPDATED SYSTEM MENU has been closed).

If so, however, at step 460 the given notification setting can bechanged by causing display device 128 to be controlled to displayrepresentation 159 of notification settings 123, and specifically a menuassociated with the given notification settings most recently used toactivate notification device 116, such as MENU4 depicted in FIG. 2. Agiven entry in the provided menu can then be updated, as described abovewith reference to FIG. 2, and notification settings 123 changed tonotification settings 123′. Using the example depicted in FIG. 2,notification settings 123′ can comprise the contents of Table 5:

TABLE 5 Profile Normal Application Phone Ringtone Calypso Volume MediumLED Flashing Vibration No

Table 5 is similar to Table 1, however with “Ringtone” changed from“ClassicPhone” to “Calypso”.

In general, by changing system menu list 129 to updated system menu list129′, which includes a notification settings change entry, convenientaccess to the notification settings most recently used to activatenotification device 116 is provided. This obviates the problem ofchanging notification settings 123 via a complex menu system, forexample as depicted in FIG. 2. Hence, reduction of wear and tear atinput device 126 is provided, as well as a more efficient use of systemresources as processing of input data associated with accessing the menusystem is eliminated.

Certain further advantages will now be explained. Since hand-heldelectronic devices typically provide a relatively small display screenhaving a limited screen size and resolution, the foregoing can providerelatively quick and efficient access to notification settings mostrecently used to control a notification device. The teachings hereinoptimize the control of the memory and the display of the computingdevice so as to provide access to a menu for changing the settings ofthe most recent notification, and thereby reduce the cumbersome use ofkey-boarding, trackball manipulation, or trackwheel manipulation or thelike. This contrasts with certain prior art mobile applicationsimplementations on hand-held electronic devices, which display a complexmenu system, across a large number of screens, in a manner that can becumbersome to scroll through or to access. In these prior artconfigurations, settings for the most recent notification are accessibleafter navigating the complex menu system, similar to that depicted inFIG. 2.

Indeed, accessing a complex menu system can be resource intensive, (e.g.consuming significant amounts of processor and memory resources) and canlead to the device to freeze, or even crash, as accessing different menuscreens is effected. The teachings herein can obviate or mitigate suchintense resource use as the foregoing functional teachings are effectedthrough either hardware or software configuration of the variouscomponents of mobile electronic device 110. FIG. 5 provides an exemplaryillustration of how such processing resources are used in a lessintensive manner.

FIG. 5 shows non-volatile memory device 114 and volatile memory device115, processing unit 122 and display device 128 from FIG. 1 inisolation. Non-volatile memory device 114 in FIG. 5 maintainsnotification settings 123 a which is a variation on notificationsettings 123 discussed above. Notification settings 123 a comprisessixteen exemplary entries, denoted as 123 a-1, 123 a-2, 123 a-3 . . .123 a-16, each of which comprises a notification setting for the same ordifferent profiles. In particular, entries 123 a-1, . . . 123 a-4comprise notification settings for a given application in a givenprofile (e.g. notification settings for a phone application in a“Normal” profile, as in FIG. 2). Notification setting 123 a as shownwithin non-volatile memory device 114 represents that memory structureswithin non-volatile memory device 114 are configured so as to maintain arepresentation of notification setting 123 a.

In FIG. 5, processing unit 122 is shown performing a first processingoperation P-1 whereby entries 123 a-1, 123 a-2, . . . 123 a-4 are loadedinto volatile memory device 115, for example when key 127 is activatedand the “Change Last Notification Setting” is chosen from UPDATED SYSTEMMENU. FIG. 5 also shows processing unit 122 performing a secondprocessing operation P-2 whereby list items 123 a-1, . . . 123 a-4 areloaded from volatile memory device 115 into processing unit 122, andwhereby processing unit 122 controls display device 128 so as togenerate a representation of entries 123 a-1, 123 a-2 . . . 123 a-4 ondisplay device 128. Hence, by providing the “Change Last NotificationSetting” in system menu list 129′, such that it can be accessed via key127 to change notification settings 123, data representative of thecomplex menu system is not loaded in to volatile memory device 115,neither is it processed by processing unit 122 and neither is displaydevice 128 controlled to provide representations thereof (as in FIG. 2).

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in some embodiments, thefunctionality of mobile electronic device 110 can be implemented usingpre-programmed hardware or firmware elements (e.g., application specificintegrated circuits (ASICs), electrically erasable programmableread-only memories (EEPROMs), etc.), or other related components. Inother embodiments, the functionality of mobile electronic device 110 canbe achieved using a computing apparatus that has access to a code memory(not shown) which stores computer-readable program code for operation ofthe computing apparatus. The computer-readable program code could bestored on a computer readable storage medium which is fixed, tangibleand readable directly by these components, (e.g., removable diskette,CD-ROM, ROM, fixed disk, USB drive). Alternatively, thecomputer-readable program code could be stored remotely buttransmittable to these components via a modem or other interface deviceconnected to a network (including, without limitation, the Internet)over a transmission medium. The transmission medium can be either anon-wireless medium (e.g., optical and/or digital and/or analogcommunications lines) or a wireless medium (e.g., microwave, infrared,free-space optical or other transmission schemes) or a combinationthereof.

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialwhich is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by any one the patent documentor patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Officepatent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrightswhatsoever.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that there are yet morealternative implementations and modifications possible for implementingthe embodiments, and that the above implementations and examples areonly illustrations of one or more embodiments. The scope, therefore, isonly to be limited by the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: determining, at a device,that a notification device has been activated due to an occurrence of anassociated triggering event; and, in response: changing, at a display ofthe device, a menu list to include a shortcut to a submenu of a menusystem for controlling device notifications, the submenu for changing anotification setting for the associated triggering event.
 2. The methodof claim 1, further comprising: in response to the shortcut beingselected: providing the submenu at the display; and changing thenotification setting based on input received in association with thesubmenu.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising, removing theshortcut from the menu list after a given time period.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the associated triggering event comprises at least oneof an alarm, a reminder, a calendar notification event, and receipt ofdata from a communication network.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein thedata from the communication network includes at least one of an e-mail,a text message, a short message service (SMS) message, and a voice call.6. The method of claim 1, wherein the notification device includes atleast one of: a speaker, a vibration motor and the display.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the notification setting includes at leastone of a volume setting, an association between the at least oneassociated triggering event and an audio file, and a vibration setting.8. The method of claim 7, wherein the audio file includes a ringtone. 9.A device comprising, a processor, a notification device and a display,the processor configured to: determine that the notification device hasbeen activated due to an occurrence of an associated triggering event;and, in response: change, at the display, a menu list to include ashortcut to a submenu of a menu system for controlling devicenotifications, the submenu for changing a notification setting for theassociated triggering event.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein theprocessor is further configured to, in response to the shortcut beingselected: provide the submenu at the display; and change thenotification setting based on input received in association with thesubmenu.
 11. The device of claim 9, wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to remove the shortcut from the menu list after a given timeperiod.
 12. The device of claim 9, wherein the associated triggeringevent comprises at least one of an alarm, a reminder, a calendarnotification event, and receipt of data from a communication network.13. The device of claim 12, wherein the data from the communicationnetwork includes at least one of an e-mail, a text message, a shortmessage service (SMS) message, and a voice call.
 14. The device of claim9, wherein the notification device includes at least one of: a speaker,a vibration motor and the display.
 15. The device of claim 9, whereinthe notification setting includes at least one of a volume setting, anassociation between the at least one associated triggering event and anaudio file, and a vibration setting.
 16. The device of claim 15, whereinthe audio file includes a ringtone.
 17. A computer program product,comprising a non-transitory computer usable medium having a computerreadable program code adapted to be executed to implement a methodcomprising: determining, at a device, that a notification device hasbeen activated due to an occurrence of an associated triggering event;and, in response: changing, at a display of the device, a menu list toinclude a shortcut to a submenu of a menu system for controlling devicenotifications, the submenu for changing a notification setting for theassociated triggering event.
 18. The computer program product of claim17, wherein the method further comprises: In response to the shortcutbeing selected: providing the submenu at the display; and changing thenotification setting based on input received in association with thesubmenu.
 19. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein themethod further comprises: removing the shortcut from the menu list aftera given time period.
 20. The computer program product of claim 17,wherein the associated triggering event comprises at least one of analarm, a reminder, a calendar notification event, and receipt of datafrom a communication network.